The President made clear in this year's State of the Union address that wherever and whenever he can take action to expand opportunity for more American families, he's going to do it -- with Congress or without.

While Republicans in Congress have set records in obstruction and inaction, the President has steadily acted on his own to help build real, lasting economic security for the middle class.

In the year since the President first called on Congress to raise the federal minimum wage, 10 states and the District of Columbia have passed laws to increase the minimum wage. Connecticut, Maryland, and Hawaii are also lifting their minimum wages to .10 an hour, and other states and localities are considering similar legislation.

Yesterday, the Obama Administration announced new steps to make it easier for highly skilled workers and talented researchers from other countries to contribute to our economy and ultimately become Americans.